Their disciplinary trial before the board was scheduled to begin Friday.

Koscianski, Spatz and Sgt. Patricia Pultz, 34, who was acquitted at the same trial last year before Judge Ronald Himel, were suspended without pay in June 2000, one month after Schmude's death.

Pultz has not resigned. Her Merit Board trial, which also was scheduled to begin Friday, is expected to get pushed back, said Maureen Feerick, an assistant Cook County state's attorney prosecuting the case.

The deputies were accused of beating Schmude on May 5, 2000, in a holding cell and in an elevator at the Bridgeview courthouse. Schmude, 40, who was charged with throwing rocks at his wife's house and violating a restraining order, died two days later.

A defense expert at the deputies' trial testified that Schmude's death resulted from a fall to the floor, causing his liver, enlarged by alcohol abuse, to damage his spleen.

Attorney Edward Theobald, Spatz's lawyer, said his client has been working for a north suburban company installing audio and visual equipment.

"He's done very well there, and he'd like to continue to do that," Theobald said.

Alan Brunell, Koscianski's lawyer, declined to comment on the resignation. Koscianski could not be reached for comment.